Paw Prints
A cooperative effort of Ormond Beach Middle School and the PTSA
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S EPTEMBER /O CTOBER 2014
F ROM THE D ESK OF ……...M ATT K RAJEWSKI
Dear Parents/Guardians:
At Ormond Beach Middle School, we provide a well-balanced, caring environment
and learning program that meets the unique demands of our middle school students.
We strive to provide a superior education by addressing the individual differences
within each student.
Mr. Matt Krajewski
Principal
We work hard at having a school that is sensitive to the needs of our students during
this time of dynamic and often drastic changes in their lives. Our school provides
strong academic focus in all subjects that affords our students with the knowledge
and learning they need in both high school and in life, and we also seek to facilitate
the transition from elementary to high school in personal areas within the individual
student by seeking every opportunity available to harness each student’s potential.
Our staff is committed to the goal of educating every student and to giving them the
confidence they will need as emerging young men and women. This staff provides
instruction that promotes flexibility and variety in order to accommodate all learning
styles. Even our professional development activities for this year will focus on
providing differentiated standards-based instruction in all subjects on a daily basis.
We will always do whatever it takes to get our students to learn!
This is also the year we implement the Florida State Standards (FSS) and the Florida
Standards Assessment (FSA), which will replace the writing, reading, and math
FCAT. There are also State Mandated Tests (SMT), End-of-Course (EOC) exams,
and Computer-Based Tests (CBT) in most subjects.
We look forward to working together to make your child a responsible, creative,
and productive member of society, ready and able to meet the challenges of high
school and our ever-changing world. This is the goal we want to accomplish for our
students and we hope this is the goal every parent/guardian also wishes to
accomplish.
Thank you for entrusting us with your child(ren) each and every day and for all
you do.
Matt Krajewski
Principal
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Welcome New Faculty and Staff Members!
Maureen Defeo – Reading
Kellee DeRiggi – 6th Grade Guidance
Kelly Hanrahan – Reading Coach
Sue Kamel – Clinic Assistant
Ashley Lekan – Science
Emma Roberts – Reading
Pat Schmidt – Student Services Secretary
Brandy Williamson – Reading
Suzanne Jones – ESE
Larry Murphy – ESE/E/BD
Kelsey Thomas – Language Arts
Ryan Houser – Math
Shawna Moore – Social Studies
Edward Fahey – Technology
Amanda Vlasic – 8th Grade Secretary
Robin Banks – Receptionist
Nancy Walsh – Para 3 - ESE
Brenda Brotherton – Language Arts
Vandana Sharma – ESE/E/BD
Courie Woodard - ESE
We are so glad you are here!
Thank you, Wal-Mart, for acknowledging our teachers’ commitment.
It’s through businesses like yours that help make it possible.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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8th grade DC Trip
A Parent Meeting for 8th Grade Washington DC Trip was
held September 25th, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Contact Mrs. Norvell if you were not able to attend
and need information at [email protected]
PLEASE RETURN YOUR
EMERGENCY CARDS
IF YOU HAVE NOT
DONE SO!
Emerald Dance Team
Informational Meeting for the Emerald Dance Team
sponsored by Mallory Cone and Tricia Aylward October 6th, at 5:00 PM
FFEA
The Florida Future Educators of America Club at OBMS kicked off the year with their
first meeting on September 17th. The next meeting will be held on October 1st,
3 p.m.- 4 p.m. Their plans for the upcoming month include the annual initiation
banquet for new members, as well as co-hosting a Halloween dance with the PTSA.
cHORUS
The OBMS Chorus is participating in a recycling project collecting bottle caps. Any hard
plastic caps are acceptable and medicine bottles are included in the category
of completely recyclable products.
So before you discard those juice containers, water bottles or detergent tops, please place
the cap in a ziploc bag and donate them to the chorus project.
Picture Retake Day is October 16th!
No School on October 20th:
Teacher Duty Day
What can you do if you see someone being bullied?
Fill out a reporting form. Reporting boxes and forms are located in the front office, media center, and grade
house offices. All classroom teachers also have forms in their rooms. Students and parents are encouraged to
report unkind, inappropriate, or harassing behavior.
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VIPS School Volunteers
Ormond Beach Middle School loves our school volunteers. Anyone interested in
volunteering at any school event must have a volunteer application on file.
You must submit an application at every school your children attend.
So if you are new to OBMS, please be sure to stop by the main office to fill out the
application. You must have an approved application on file before you may
volunteer for any school activity.
Once an application is received and approved, it remains active for 5 years.
If you are a returning volunteer, I will notify you if your application needs to
be resubmitted.
If you have any questions, please contact Mindy James at 258-4677 extension
53912 or [email protected].
Next SAC Meeting is October 7th, 5:30 p.m.
in the Media Center!
BUSINESS PARTNERS NEEDED
Ormond Beach Middle School is looking for area businesses to become involved in our school.
Please read the attached flyer with the benefits of becoming an Ormond Beach Middle School
Business Partner. If you would like to be a Business Partner and are interested in making a
difference at our school, please contact Mindy James at 258-4677 extension 53912 or
[email protected].
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Dear Ormond Middle Families,
Our school is continually training teachers, staff, and students in Volusia County Security Certification Standards.
This process is the basis through which Ormond Middle School will continue to provide a secure and safe school
environment for our entire school community.
Having specific safety procedures in place will strengthen the school environment and will allow everyone to effectively learn
and work in a safe environment.
Parents and visitors may review our Procedures manual in the main office. As we continue our preparations, this document
is constantly being updated. Please feel free to contact Wes Porter, if you have any questions.
The following sections are excerpts from our manual that are important for our families and visitors to know.
Visitors
The main administration building shall serve as Ormond Middle Schools central admittance point for all visitors. Visitors
with a valid purpose for being on the school campus will be asked to show a photo ID and sign in indicating their purpose
and location while on campus. Each visitor will be issued a visitor’s badge that must be worn at all times while on campus.
Visitors on campus, without an appropriate ID badge, will be directed to the main office so that they may register.
Identification badges are dated so they are only valid the day of issuance.
Release of Students
Once in school, students are the responsibility of the Principal. Early release must be governed by strict sign-out procedures
that will ensure the students’ safety. Any parent or guardian requesting to have their child(ren) released prior to the close of
the school day shall report to the main administration building (Building #1) for that purpose. Parents/guardians shall
complete an early release request and list the reason for the early release. Parents/guardians will be required to show a
driver’s license as identification.
Should they not have a driver’s license, but can produce other identification, the Principal will be contacted and asked to
approve the release. No child shall be released to an individual who cannot produce a photo ID, if not personally known to
the Principal, faculty, or staff member(s). Prior to release of any child the student’s emergency contact information will
be reviewed to ensure that nothing would prohibit the parent/legal guardian from receiving the student. Students will be
released only from the office. Students may not be released to any other individual unless permission is given by the legal
parent or guardian.
Secondary Schools Students and Family Policy Guide and Code of Student Conduct and
Discipline Handbook
Each student receives the handbook mentioned above. Throughout the school year its’ contents are discussed with
all students.
Teachers and administrators explain and reinforce the importance of the Student Code of Conduct. Prohibited items are
outlined for all students. Each student and parent signs an acknowledgement indicating that they have received a copy of
the Student Code of Conduct. This handbook also includes information about discipline, attendance, student medications,
health services, homework, and student behavior on buses, use of electronic equipment at school, and the prohibition
of harassment.
Harassment
Ormond Beach Middle School has a supportive climate that appreciates racial, cultural, and other forms of diversity.
Through our Pride Program, students are educated throughout the year with activities and opportunities which foster
understanding of other’s differences, conflict resolution methods, mediation, and other violence prevention techniques.
At Ormond Middle School we work to empower our students with the knowledge of what to do in hostile situations.
Continued on next page
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Parental Notifications and Student Safety
Schools have an obligation to notify parents/guardians of issues that may affect a student’s safety and well being. Statements or
threats regarding suicide, gang activity, and fear of harm from outside the school must be reported to the parent/guardian in
addition to the appropriate law enforcement agency. If the issue involves other students or adults on campus, the principal
will conduct an investigation and take appropriate measures to provide adequate safeguards.
Police, Department of Children and Families, and the Department of Juvenile Justice
Schools must comply with Florida Statutes regarding Police and the Department of Children and Family interviews, while at
the same time, protect students and parental rights. Under Florida Statutes, the Department of Children and Families does have the right to interview and/or take a child into custody without the parent’s permission.
Student Searches
Searches, appropriately authorized and conducted, are an important part of the safety and security procedures at Ormond
Beach Middle School.
Searches of students are conducted when there is a reasonable suspicion that the student has contraband and is in violation of the
district’s Code of Student Conduct and Discipline. Where reasonable suspicion exists, a student shall be asked to empty his/her
pockets and/or turn over the item which is suspected to carry the contraband. Whenever possible, the administrator will have
a witness observe the search. The school is not required to obtain permission from the student’s parent/guardian prior to conducting a search. When there is reasonable suspicion to believe that a student is in possession of a weapon, the School Resource
Deputy and/or the Ormond Beach Police Department will be contacted. The law enforcement officer will have jurisdiction
and control over the search for a suspected firearm or other dangerous weapon.
Concern of Harm
Students making threats of violence receive disciplinary action and are handled in accordance with district procedures.
The degree of each threat is assessed and discussed with the student’s parent or guardian.
Emergencies and Disasters
Ormond Beach Middle School staff and students have been practicing what to do in the event of an emergency such as a fire,
bomb threat, intruder, hazardous weather, and hazardous materials/toxic spills on or near our campus. If it were necessary
to evacuate our campus due to a crisis, all students, faculty, and staff would be relocated to the Ormond Beach Performing
Arts Center or David Hinson Middle School.
Physical Interventions
Faculty and staff will avoid physical contact with students. Only in justifiable instances may physical intervention by trained
personnel be used on this campus.
24 Hour Toll-Free Hotline
An anonymous hotline is provided for students to report issues of crime and violence. This is the Students Crime Stopper
Program and their number is 1-888-227-TIPS
Administration of Medication
The school has a procedure that strictly controls the administration of medications to students. Only the School Nurse, Mrs.
Kamel, or trained staff shall administer prescription medication to the student or assist the student in the administration of
such medication. Prescription medications shall not be allowed on school property or off campus at school sponsored activities.
There are forms that must be completed by parent/guardian prior to the administration or self-administration of any
medication. This includes over the counter medication as well. At no time may a student bring any medication to the
school. Medication must be transported to our school by a student’s parent or guardian.
Continued on next page
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Parent Community
Parents and community leaders are invited to participate in meetings and discussions on the topic of school safety.
Parent input is always welcome at Ormond Beach Middle School.
Media Relations in Regard to Emergencies.
In the event of an emergency, the media can also be used to assist with parental and student notification. Interviews with
Mr. Krajewski will take place in the Media Center or outside, in front of the school.
Bus Loop
Parents may not use the bus loop or east parking lot during morning or afternoon arrivals. As per state requirements, only
buses may use the bus loop during these times.
Your Cooperation is Greatly Appreciated
If you are on campus during a security drill or an actual emergency situation, it is greatly appreciated that you relocate to
your vehicle immediately. You may also be instructed by a staff member to follow the security procedures we are implementing
at the time of the emergency situation. Our goal is to make your experience at Ormond Beach Middle School a safe and
enjoyable one. Please remember that your input is always appreciated.
Sincerely,
The Ormond Beach Middle School Faculty and Staff
ParentPortal
More parents are logging on to ParentPortal and realizing the benefits of having so much information
about their child at their fingertips. To access ParentPortal all you need is:

a Parent Portal authorization code. Call your child’s school if you do not have one for each child.

an e-mail address and access to the Internet. (There are many Internet Service Providers who
provide free e-mail accounts)
Once the authorization code is issued:

log on the Internet and go to http://myvolusiaschools.org

select ParentPortal from the Quick Links box

click on “Creating a new account” link on the ParentPortal homepage, which will walk you
through the simple procedure of registering
You now have access to a wealth of information about your child. On ParentPortal you can monitor
your child’s grades, attendance and tardiness, discipline referrals, report card history, FCAT history,
interim reports, and much more. There is no more wondering – simply select the appropriate report.
Ormond Beach Middle School
151 Domicilio Avenue
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
ADVERTISE IN OUR PAW PRINTS!
Full Page - $75.00 per issue
1/2 Page - $50.00 per issue
Phone: 386-258-4667
Fax: 386-506-5070
WEB Site: www.myvolusiaschools.org
PRINCIPAL:
Matt Krajewski
ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS:
Ms. Melissa Casale
Mrs. Tracia Culver
Mr. Wes Porter
Business Card - $25.00 per issue
Go to our WEB Site under PTSA to print an ad form or
stop by and see Mrs. Banks in the Main Office.
ATTENTION PARENTS!
PLEASE DON’T FORGET - VISITORS ARRIVING ON CAMPUS
MUST REPORT TO THE MAIN OFFICE TO CHECK IN AND
RECEIVE A VISITOR PASS AT ALL TIMES.
Thank you to our Business Partners!
You may be a Business Partner also!
Contact Mrs. James at 386-258-4667 for more information.
Dr. Matt Nirschl, Chiropractor
53 Old Kings Road, Suite C
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
672-6565
Pirates Cove
Adventure Golf
226 Cardinal Drive
Ormond Beach, FL 32176
676-9326
Hungry Howie’s Pizza
1674 Ridgewood Avenue
Holly Hill, FL 32117
677-7339
Gateway Bank
1950 W International Speedway Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
947-5420